Systems and methods of constructing, assembling, and moving modular washrooms

ABSTRACT

Assembly time of a modular washroom may be reduced when compared to assembly of a conventional washroom, thereby reducing delays in occupancy of building units such as those in a strip mall. In one embodiment, a modular washroom comprises coupling devices on adjoining walls that are easily accessible so that the modular washroom may be more easily and quickly moveable than a conventional washroom. In one embodiment, the modular washroom comprises components that receive compliance certification prior to installation into a building structure, thereby reducing delays related to compliance inspections that typically occur after construction of a washroom at the building site.

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/715,741, filed on Sep. 9, 2005,which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to systems and methods of constructing,assembling, and moving modular washrooms.

2. Description of the Related Art

In certain construction projects, such as light frame and strip mallconstruction projects, multiple wash rooms are often constructed. Inmany of these construction projects, the washrooms are not assembleduntil after the building structure is complete and, therefore,completion of the washrooms often extends past a time when the remainingbuilding structure is usable. Thus, construction of a washroom may delayopening of a new business in an otherwise usable building unit.Accordingly, there is a need for improved systems and methods forefficient and quick construction of wash rooms for use in suchfacilities. Additionally, in certain building structures, washrooms areprovided in a predetermined location that is not changeable by thetenant prior to completion of the building project. Accordingly, if thetenant desires to relocate the washroom, the washroom is removed and anew washroom is built in the desired location. The typical cycle timefor construction (or re-location) of a washroom is approximately 2 to 4weeks or longer. Thus, after construction of a structure including awashroom facility, the owner and tenants typically are delayed at leasta few weeks before they can occupy the building units. These delays cancause a significant revenue loss for the developer and the tenants.Systems and methods for quickly constructing and/or moving washrooms aredesired.

Additionally, components of a washroom may require some type ofregulatory certification, such as by ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES),before they may be used. ICC-ES is one entity that is commonly used forevaluating building products for compliance with code such as local,city, county or state building codes, for example. After inspection byICC-ES, or other inspection entity, reports may be issued indicatingwhether the washroom complies with building codes and these reports maybe used to prove that the washroom meets any relevant code requirements.Thus, after a building structure, which may comprise multiple buildingunits, such as separate stores in a strip mall, has been constructed,the washrooms are built in all, or some, of the building units and thenthe washroom is inspected to ensure that it is in compliance with anyrelevant building codes. However, inspection by local inspection entity,or other inspection entity, may not be available immediately followingconstruction of the washroom, thus further delaying the usability of thebuilding unit. Furthermore, if inspection of the washroom revealsviolations to the relevant building codes, additional time and possibleadditional inspections may be required before the washroom is incompliance with the relevant building codes and is considered safe andusable. Accordingly, improved systems and methods for obtaining codecompliance certification for washrooms are desired.

SUMMARY

As used herein, the term “washroom” means a building structure,including a building structure comprising one or more of a sink, atoilet, and a shower; and building structures such as dressing rooms,for example, that do not include sinks, toilets, or showers. An improvedwashroom, referred to herein as a “modular washroom” will be describedwith respect to the drawings. In general, assembly time of a modularwashroom may be reduced when compared to assembly time of a conventionalwashroom. Additionally, a modular washroom may be more easily andquickly moveable than a conventional washroom and furthermore, a modularwashroom comprises components that receive compliance certificationprior to installation into a building structure so that delays caused byinspectors or repairs made to bring a washroom into compliance with therelevant building code are reduced or eliminated.

In one embodiment, a modular washroom is configured for assembly withina framed building having a first height and a foundation with water andsewer lines being formed within the foundation. In one embodiment, thewashroom assembly comprises a plurality of wall members each having aninterior side, an exterior side, a first lateral edge, a second lateraledge, and internal framing interposed between the interior and exteriorsides such that the plurality of wall members have a thickness based atleast in part on the internal framing wherein the plurality of wallmembers are of a second height that is less than the first height, aplurality of fittings positioned within the wall members adapted tocouple washroom fixtures mounted on the plurality of wall members to thewater and sewer lines formed in the foundation. In one embodiment, waterlines in the building structure are overhead such that the water linesare lowered into the modular washroom from above the wall members. Themodular washroom may further comprise a plurality of coupling memberseach having first and second legs that are interconnected with eachother so that when two of the plurality of wall members are positionedsuch that the lateral edges are adjacent each other with the wallmembers extending in substantially perpendicular directions to eachother, the first and second leg of the coupling members respectivelyengage with the two adjacent wall members along the thickness dimensionof the two adjacent wall members so as to retain the adjacent wallmembers in position with respect to each other. The modular washroom mayadditionally comprise a plurality of cover members each having first andsecond legs, wherein the plurality of cover members are mounted on theexterior sides of the two adjacent wall members that are positionedadjacent to each other so as to define a generally right angleinterconnection between the exterior sides of the wall members and atleast partially hide from sight the plurality of coupling members.

In one embodiment, a modular washroom kit comprises a plurality of wallsconfigured for assembly at a strip mall, the plurality of wallscomprising at least a first wall comprising an attachment mechanism forcoupling a sink to the first wall, the first wall further comprisingplumbing within the first wall configured for coupling to a water sourceat the strip mall, and a second wall comprising electrical wires withinthe second wall and an electrical outlet on the second wall. In oneembodiment, the kit further comprises a plurality of substantiallyL-shaped brackets for attaching pairs of walls together at the stripmall, wherein an ICC-ES inspection certification for the modularwashroom kit is issued prior to shipment of the kit to the strip mallfor assembly. In one embodiment, the ICC-ES inspection certification isissued in response to a self-inspection by the fabricator of the modularwashroom kit, wherein the self-inspection is according to the inspectioncriteria provided by ICC-ES.

In another embodiment, a method of assembling a modular washroom, themodular washroom comprising a plurality of walls and at least one of thewalls comprises a fixture attached to the wall, comprising placing atleast two walls of the modular restroom in a desired location within abuilding structure, the at least two walls having supports coupled nearan upper end of the walls for supporting a ceiling, positioning theceiling above the supports, and lowering the ceiling so that the ceilingis supported by the supports.

In another embodiment, a method of constructing components of a modularwashroom comprises (a) constructing at a manufacturing facility aplurality of walls of a modular restroom, wherein at least one of thewalls comprises HVAC components within the wall and at least one of thewalls comprises a fixture attached to the wall, the walls beingconfigured for assembly at a building location remote to themanufacturing facility, (b) presenting the constructed walls to aninspector at the manufacturing facility, (c) obtaining an inspectioncertification for the constructed walls from the inspector afterinspection of the constructed walls at the manufacturing facility, and(d) combining the constructed walls into a kit for sale to a customer,wherein the kit comprises the plurality of walls and coupling devicesfor securing the plurality of walls in order to form a modular washroom.In one embodiment, the inspector is employed by the fabricator of themodular washroom, such that the inspection certification results from aself-inspection of the constructed walls. In one embodiment, theinspector inspects the constructed walls in accordance to inspectioncriteria provided by ICC-ES.

In another embodiment, a method of coupling adjacent walls of a modularwashroom comprises positioning a first substantially rectangular wallcomprising a front surface and a rear surface separated by a firstthickness, the first wall further comprising a left side and right sideeach between the front and rear surface and having widths equal to thefirst thickness, positioning a second substantially rectangular wallcomprising a second front surface and a second rear surface separated bya second thickness, the second wall further comprising a second leftside and a second right side each between the second front and rearsurfaces and having widths equal to the second thickness, the secondwall being positioned so that the second right side contacts the leftside of the first wall so that the first and second walls aresubstantially perpendicular to one another and so that the second rightside and the left side are at least partially exposed, and coupling atleast one bracket to the exposed portions of the second right side andthe left side so that the first and second walls are attached.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of components of an exemplary modular washroom.

FIG. 2 is a top view of an assembled modular washroom.

FIG. 2A is a top view of another assembled modular washroom.

FIG. 2B is first cross-sectional side view of the assembled modularwashroom of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is a second cross-sectional side view of the assembled modularwashroom of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is a top view diagram of a multiple unit structure, such as astrip mall, where each of the building units comprises at least onemodular washroom.

FIG. 4 is a top view diagram of the multiple unit structure of FIG. 3,where the modular washrooms in two building units have been moved toalternate locations within the respective building units.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of a washroom with the ceilingpositioned above the washroom.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the washroom of FIG. 4 with theceiling lowered onto the supports within the washroom.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the washroom of FIG. 4, wherein the brackets areshown attached to the walls such that the brackets are configured tosupport a ceiling that is lowered into the washroom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to theaccompanying Figures, wherein like numerals refer to like elementsthroughout. The terminology used in the description presented herein isnot intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner,simply because it is being utilized in conjunction with a detaileddescription of certain specific embodiments of the invention.Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include several novelfeatures, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirableattributes or which is essential to practicing the inventions describedherein.

1 FIG. 1 is a diagram of components of an exemplary modular washroom.FIG. 1 illustrates multiple walls 110A-110D, where some of the wallsinclude fittings for installing fixtures 120A-120C to the walls 110. Inparticular, FIG. 1 illustrates a toilet 120A that may be attached to awater valve installed in wall 110A, a sink 120B that may be attached towater and sewage valves on wall 110B, and other fixtures 120C, such asshelves, hand dryers, and paper towel dispenser, for example, that areconfigured for installation on wall 110C. In one embodiment, a singlewall may comprise fittings for coupling the toilet 120A and the sink120B to a water source, such as an overhead water line that drops downinto the modular washroom. As discussed further below with reference toFIG. 2B, for example, the overhead water line may couple with waterlines positioned inside one of the walls. In one embodiment, certain ofthe fixtures are installed on a wall 110 prior to shipment to theinstall site. In one embodiment, the walls 110 for a specific modularwashroom may include fewer or additional fittings for support fixtures120 on the walls 110 and/or coupling the fixtures to water, plumbing,and electrical sources.

In one embodiment, the walls 110A, 110B, comprise plumbing within thewall that is configured for attachment to a water source and/or sewagedrain in a building unit in which the modular washroom is assembled. Inaddition, HVAC tubing, such as for air conditioning, heating, andelectrical wiring may be preinstalled in one or more of the walls 110.Additionally, vents for delivering air conditioning and heating, andelectrical outlets, for example, may also be preinstalled in one or moreof the walls 110. Accordingly, due to the preinstallation of plumbingand HVAC tubing, fixtures, and vents into the walls of the modularwashroom, time required to construct the modular washroom at aninstallation site may be reduced. Therefore, modular washroom 110 may beeconomically valuable due to its reduced time-to-occupancy for leasedspace.

In one embodiment, the fixtures 120 are coupled to the walls 110 priorto shipment to the building unit in which the modular washroom is to beassembled. In this embodiment, the time required to assemble thewashroom may be reduced as the proper attachment of the fixtures andcoupling to water sources and drains to the walls has already been done.In other embodiments, some of the fixtures 120 are not coupled to thewalls 110 when received by a purchaser, but the walls 110 may includeattachment mechanisms that allow for easy attachment of the fixtures 120to the walls 110. In one embodiment, one of the walls 110, such as thewall 110D, for example, comprises a door.

FIG. 1 also illustrates an exemplary bracket 130, wherein a top view ofthe bracket 130 is illustrated as bracket 130A and a side perspectiveview of the bracket is illustrated as bracket 130B. In one embodiment,the walls 110 of the modular washroom 100 each include a steel or woodenframe covered with a coating such as gypsum board or particle board, forexample. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, the walls 110 are secured usingbrackets, such as bracket 103, that are installed on the outside edgesof the walls 110. FIG. 2, which illustrates a top view of an assembledmodular washroom 200, illustrates the position of the brackets 130 on anassembled modular washroom. As shown in FIG. 1, the bracket 130comprises multiple holes 132 for receiving attachment devices, such asnails or screws, for example. In one embodiment, the bracket 130 is fromone to six inches long, or longer. In one embodiment, the bracket 130 isabout three inches long.

In operation, two adjacent walls of a modular washroom may be coupledusing one or more of the brackets 130, or other similar brackets. In oneembodiment, multiple brackets 130 are placed on the junction of eachpair of walls 110, such as an upper bracket 130, a middle bracket 130,and a lower bracket 130. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, the brackets130 provide an external attachment means for the walls 110 of themodular washroom 100, 200 so that the walls 110 may be detached from oneanother without destroying portions of the walls 110. The externaljoining bracket advantageously may be easily removed, such as byremoving screws or nails that are attached to the walls through theholes 132 of the brackets, the walls may be separated, and the modularwashroom may be moved and re-assembled at another location.Additionally, the attachment screws or bolts do not need to extendthrough a thickness of one or more of the walls as would be done intypical construction, because the bracket 130 may be placed directly onadjoining walls. Furthermore, walls having the same dimensions may bemass produced and, when used with the brackets 130, form a square,rectangular, or any other polygonal shaped, washroom.

In one embodiment, the components of the modular washroom, such as thewalls 110, fixtures 120, and related pluming, heating, air conditioning,and electrical components, are inspected prior to installation of themodular washroom at a desired building unit. For example, a third partyinspector that is certified by ICC-ES may visit the manufacturingfacility where the walls 110 are fabricated, conduct an inspection ofthe components of the walls, including fixtures attached to the wallsand wiring and vents within the walls, and provide a certificationcertificate to the manufacturer. Thus, certification may be completebefore the walls are shipped to the building site, greatly reducing oreliminating the likelihood of inspection delays or compliance changesrelated to the washroom. Modular washrooms, similar to the exemplarymodular washroom 200, may be installed in shopping centers, communitycenters, power centers, enclosed malls, tilt-up construction, stripmalls, temporary “tent” facilities, gas stations, and conveniencestores, for example.

FIG. 2 is a top view diagram of an assembled modular washroom 200, wherethe modular washroom comprises components illustrated in FIG. 1. In theembodiment of FIG. 2, each pair of adjacent walls 110, such as walls110A and 110B, for example, are coupled with one or more of the L-shapedbrackets 130 that hold the walls in position with respect to oneanother. In one embodiment, for example, three brackets 130, each aboutthree inches long, are placed between the junction of two walls 110 andsecured to the two walls 110, such as walls 110A and 110C, in order tohold the walls 110A, 110C in place.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the joint between walls 110B and 110D alsoincludes a corner cover 210, which covers the exposed bracket 130. Thecorner cover 210 may be secured to the walls by any means, such asscrews or glue, and may be easily removable so that the joining brackets130 may be accessed. In one embodiment, the corner cover extends alongan entire height of adjoining walls 110. The corner cover 210 mayadvantageously cover the opening between adjoining walls 110 and providean ornamental cover on the corners of the modular washroom. Multiplestyles and designs of covers 210 are contemplated and any suitable covermay be used in conjunction with the modular washroom described herein.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the modular washroom 200 is advantageouslyassembled with brackets 130 that are accessible on the outside of themodular washroom 200 without destruction of the walls 110. Thus, themodular washroom 200 may be disassembled and relocated at a fraction ofthe cost and time it takes to demolish and reconstruct a conventionalwashroom facility.

FIG. 2A is a top view of another assembled modular washroom 210 havingwalls 220A, 220B, 220C, 220D. In general, each of the walls 220comprises a frame that may be made of steel, wood, or a combination ofthese and other materials, and each of the walls is at least partiallycovered by drywall, or some other wall covering material 221. In theembodiment of FIG. 2A, each of the walls comprises the wall coveringmaterial 221 on the inner surfaces of the walls and walls 220C, 220Ainclude the wall covering material 221 on their outer surfaces. Thus,the exemplary modular washroom 210 is configured for placement in abuilding structure wherein the walls 220B, 220D abut adjoining walls ina corner of the building structure. Because these walls are not seen byuser of the building structure, a wall covering material 221 may not benecessary on walls 220B, 220D.

In the exemplary washroom 210, a sink 212 has been attached to wall220D, which comprises plumbing 222 that was preinstalled within the wall220D prior to assembly of the modular washroom 210. Thus, when the wall210 is installed at the building site, the plumbing 222 is coupled towater and sewer lines that are at the building site, such as under thefoundation and/or overhead. The sink 212 may then be coupled to the wall220D so that it interfaces with the building site water and sewer linesvia the plumbing 222. In one embodiment, the toilet 214 is mountedaround a sewage fitting on the provided floor surface of the buildingsite and coupled to the building water source via a fitting on the wall220D.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2A, the pairs of walls 220A and 220D, 220A and220C, and 220C and 220B, are each held in place with respect to oneanother using an outside bracket 230, such as the bracket 130 discussedwith reference to FIG. 1. A corner cover 232 is also placed over thejunction of each of the above-noted wall pairs to ornamentally cover thejunction of adjoining walls and the brackets 230 that couple theadjoining walls. However, because the junction between walls 220B, 220Dmay be inaccessible when positioned in a corner of the building site,the walls 220B, 220D are coupled using one or more inner brackets 231.In one embodiment, adjoining walls, such as walls 220B, 220D, arecoupled with 1, 2, 3, 4, or more inner brackets 231, which are eachscrewed, bolted, or otherwise attached to an inner surface of eachadjoining wall. In other embodiments, all adjoining walls may be coupledwith outside brackets 230, adjoining walls may be coupled with innerbrackets 231, or adjoining walls may be coupled with both outer brackets230 and inner brackets 231. As noted above, because the brackets 230 areeasily accessible from outside the washroom 210, the walls may bedisassembled and reassembled at another location with reduced time andcost when compared with a typical washroom. In the embodiment of FIG.2A, walls 220C, 220A each have insulation 224 in openings in the walls.The insulation may be useful for retaining heat or cooling in thewashroom 210, or for reducing sound that travels through the insulatedwalls. In other embodiments, fewer or more of the walls 220 of a modularwashroom include insulation.

FIG. 2B is a first cross-sectional side view 210A of the assembledmodular washroom of FIG. 2A taken across the cross section indicated bycross section indicator 240 of FIG. 2A. As shown in FIG. 2B, theplumbing 222 that is within the wall 220D is coupled to plumbing 223Athat is provided at the building site. In one embodiment, the plumbing222 comprises pipes or other tubing for carrying fresh water to the sink212 and toilet 214. In this embodiment, the building plumbing 223Acomprises one or more pipes or other tubing that is coupled to a watersource, such as a municipal water source.

A ceiling 245 of the modular washroom 210 comprises a ventilationopening 241 that comprises a ventilation fan. In an advantageousembodiment, the ventilation opening 241 and optional ventilation fan arecoupled to the ceiling 245 prior to assembly of the modular washroom210. A ventilation tubing 242 that is provided at the building site iscoupled around the ventilation opening 214 so that the washroom 210 maybe vented through the building ventilation system.

FIG. 2C is a second cross-sectional side view 210B of the assembledmodular washroom of FIG. 2A taken across the cross section indicated bycross section indicator 250 of FIG. 2A. Thus, FIG. 2C illustrates afront view of wall 220C and door 234, and cross sectional views of walls220A, 220B. As illustrated in FIG. 2C, the wall 220C compriseselectrical wiring 260 within the wall 220C that terminates at anelectrical box 262 that may be coupled to an electrical outlet, lightswitch, vent fan switch, any other electrical device, or any combinationof these devices. The wiring 260 is advantageously pre-wired in the wall220C prior to installation of the washroom 210 so that electrical workat the installation site is reduced. In one embodiment, a junction box264 is coupled to the wall 220C so that the wiring 260 may be coupled toa power source or other wiring 260 in the building site. In otherembodiments, the junction box 264 may be coupled to the ceiling 245 orany of the other walls 220. Additionally, in other embodiments multiplewalls 220 may comprise electrical wiring preinstalled in the walls 220and multiple junction boxes that are ready for coupling with electricalconnections from the building site. In one embodiment, one of the walls220C comprises all of the electrical wiring and plumbing for a modularwashroom, rather than having the electrical and plumbing in separatewalls.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a multiple unit structure 300A, such as a stripmall, where each of the building units 310 comprises at least onemodular washroom 320. In one embodiment, each of the modular washrooms320 are assembled using components such as those illustrated in FIGS.1-2. In one embodiment, the components of the washrooms 320 areinspected, such as by an ICC-ES authorized inspector, prior to assemblyat the structure 300A so that there is no time delay related tocertification of the modular washrooms after assembly within therespective building units 310. Thus, in one embodiment the modularwashrooms 320 may be assembled in a matter of 1-3 days, for example,rather than the 2-4 weeks or more that is typically required formultiple phases of construction and building inspections of aconventional washroom.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of the multiple unit structure 300 of FIG. 3, wherethe modular washrooms 320C, 320D have been moved to alternate locationswithin their respective building units 310C, 310D. As noted above, incertain circumstances washrooms may need to be moved within buildingunits. For example, a tenant may assemble a washroom at a first locationwithin a building unit only to later learn that another location withinthe building may be more desirable. For example, the tenant or owner ofbuilding unit 310D may have initially placed modular washroom 320D atthe location illustrated in FIG. 3, but later determined that a largeropen area at the front of the store was desirable and, thus, the modularwashroom 320D should be moved to the rear of the building unit 310D.Because the modular washroom 320D is assembled in a manner similar tothat discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the modularwashroom 320D may be more easily disassembled and reassembled at thelocation shown in FIG. 4, or any other location.

Currently, many developers provide a conventional washroom in each unitin a predetermined location. When a tenant takes possession of the unit,they must then determine if the conventional washroom is in the properlocation or if the conventional washroom should be moved to a moreconvenient location in the unit. Currently, the cost of relocating aconventionally constructed washroom facility may be in the range of$7,500-$9,000 or more. In contrast, as discussed above the modularwashroom described herein may be more easily and cost-effectivelydisassembled and reassembled. For example, the current cost ofrelocating a modular washroom may be in the range of about$1,000-$3,000.

Some contractors provide what is commonly referred to as a “Vanilla”project, which is a project including about 25-40 units, each comprisingapproximately 800-1,400 square feet, such as 1,200 square feet, forexample, with demising walls placed about every 20 feet, and a washroomfacility included in each unit. It is estimated that at least 25% ormore of the tenants request that the washroom be re-located to adifferent spot within the unit before commencing the lease. As notedabove, the cost of demolishing and relocating conventionally constructedwashrooms ranges from $7,500 to $9,000, depending on several factors,such as the length of concrete trenching and whether the developer has adedicated construction crew. This relocation also costs the tenantand/or owner lost occupancy time as the conventional washroom is beingrelocated. Thus, in one embodiment contractors may offer modularwashrooms, such as modular washrooms 100, 200, 320, as an alternative toconventional washrooms so that disassembly and reassembly of the modularwashrooms at alternate locations may be more easily accomplished.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of a washroom 500 with a ceiling510 of the washroom positioned above the walls. In one embodiment, theceiling 510 of the modular washroom 500 may be positioned within thewashroom by lowering the ceiling 520 between the already positioned andsecured walls 505, wherein supports 510 extending inward into themodular washroom 500 support the ceiling 520. For example, aftercoupling three of the walls 505 such that a C-shaped structure isformed, the ceiling may be positioned on the supports 510 by sliding theceiling into the washroom 500, where the ceiling is supported by thesupports 510, through the one remaining open side of the washroom 500.The supports 510 may comprise L-shaped brackets that are attached to thewalls 505 with an attachment device, such as screws or nails, forexample. In other embodiments, the supports 510 may comprise any otherprotrusions that are suitable to support the ceiling 520. For example, astrip of wood, such as pieces of 1×2 boards, may be screwed into thewalls at the desired height of the ceiling 520 so that the boardssupport the ceiling 520 when it is lowered within the walls 505.Alternatively, a board, or other elongated material, may be extendedalong the entire inner perimeter of the washroom 500 at the desiredheight for the ceiling 520. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, thesupports 510 extend along substantially the entire width of the 505. Inanother embodiment, the supports 510 may be smaller and positionedintermittently on the walls 505 in order to support the ceiling 520. Inone embodiment, the supports 510 are preassembled on the walls 505 priorto shipment to the install location. Thus, assembly of the modularwashroom is not slowed due to installation of the supports 510 at theinstall location.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the washroom 500 of FIG. 4 withthe ceiling 520 lowered onto the supports 510 between the walls 505 ofthe washroom. In one embodiment, the modular ceiling 520 is raised abovethe supports 510 and rotated so as to be substantially perpendicular toeach of the walls 505 above the supports. The modular ceiling 520 maythen be lowered so that the ceiling 520 is supported by the supports510. In one embodiment, the ceiling 520 is positioned over the supports510 and then lowered onto the supports after two or more walls 505 havebeen secured together, such as with the brackets 130 (FIG. 2), in orderto form a multi-sided washroom structure. In one embodiment, positionsof walls of a building unit, such as a strip mall, may also comprise oneor more walls of a modular washroom. For example, the modular washroom320D (FIG. 3) may use three walls of the building unit 310D, such thatonly one wall 322 is installed in order to form the outline of themodular washroom. In this embodiment, the supports 510 may also bepositioned on walls of the building unit 310.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the washroom 500 of FIG. 5, wherein the brackets510 are shown attached to the walls 505 such that the brackets 510 areconfigured to support the ceiling 520 as it is lowered between the walls505. In other embodiments, a modular washroom may comprise fewer or morewalls 505 and, thus, may comprise a ceiling that is shaped differently.

The foregoing description details certain embodiments of the invention.It will be appreciated, however, that no matter how detailed theforegoing appears in text, the invention can be practiced in many ways.The use of particular terminology when describing certain features oraspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that theterminology is being re-defined herein to be restricted to include anyspecific characteristics of the features or aspects of the inventionwith which that terminology is associated. The scope of the inventionshould therefore be construed in accordance with the appended claims andany equivalents thereof.

1. A modular washroom assembly for assembly within a framed buildinghaving a first height and sewer lines being formed within thefoundation, the framed building also comprising a water source, thewashroom assembly comprising: a plurality of wall members each having aninterior, an exterior side, a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge,and internal framing interposed between the interior and exterior sidessuch that the plurality of wall members have a thickness based at leastin part on the internal framing wherein the plurality of wall membersare of a second height that is less than the first height; a pluralityof fittings positioned within the wall members adapted to couplewashroom fixtures mounted on the plurality of wall members to the watersource and sewer lines; a plurality of coupling members each havingfirst and second legs that are interconnected with each other so thatwhen two of the plurality of wall members are positioned such that thelateral edges are adjacent to each other with the wall members extendingin substantially perpendicular directions to each other, the first andsecond leg of the coupling members respectively engage with the twoadjacent wall members along the thickness dimension of the two adjacentwall members so as to retain the adjacent wall members in position withrespect to each other; and a plurality of cover members each havingfirst and second legs, wherein the plurality of cover members aremounted on the exterior sides of the two adjacent wall members that arepositioned adjacent to each other so as to define a generally rightangle interconnection between the exterior sides of the wall members andat least partially hide from sight the plurality of coupling members. 2.The modular washroom of claim 1, wherein the water source comprises anoverhead water line provided at the framed building.
 3. The modularwashroom of claim 1, wherein the modular washroom assembly receives codecertification as a result of an inspection that is offsite to the framedbuilding.
 4. The modular washroom of claim 1, wherein at least one ofthe wall members comprises gypsum board on the interior surface.
 5. Themodular washroom of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wall memberscomprises four wall members arranged in a substantially rectangularconfiguration.
 6. The modular washroom of claim 5, wherein at least twoof the walls are coupled with one or more bracket members positioned oninner surface of the at least two walls.
 7. The modular washroom ofclaim 6, wherein a junction between the at least two walls is located ina corner of the framed building such that the outside surface of thewalls at the junction is not accessible.
 8. A modular washroom kitcomprising: a plurality of walls configured for assembly at a stripmall, the plurality of walls comprising at least a first wall comprisingan attachment mechanism for coupling a sink to the first wall, the firstwall further comprising plumbing within the first wall configured forcoupling to a water source at the strip mall; and a second wallcomprising electrical wires within the second wall and an electricaloutlet on the second wall; and a plurality of substantially L-shapedbrackets for attaching pairs of walls together at the strip mall;wherein an ICC-ES inspection certification for the modular washroom kitis issued prior to shipment of the kit to the strip mall for assembly.9. The modular washroom kit of claim 8, wherein the at least one wall isthe first wall.
 10. The modular washroom kit of claim 8, wherein the atleast one wall is the second wall.
 11. The modular washroom kit of claim8, further comprising a plurality of ornamental covers configured forattachment to pairs of adjoining walls such that the L-shaped bracketsare not visible.
 12. The modular washroom kit of claim 8, wherein theICC-ES inspection certification is issued in response to aself-inspection by the fabricator of the modular washroom kit, whereinthe self-inspection is according to the inspection criteria provided byICC-ES.
 13. A method of assembling a modular washroom, the modularwashroom comprising a plurality of walls and at least one of the wallscomprises a fixture attached to the wall, the method comprising: placingat least two walls of the modular restroom in a desired location withina building structure, the at least two walls having supports couplednear an upper end of the walls for supporting a ceiling; positioning theceiling on at least a portion of the supports; and moving the ceiling sothat the ceiling is supported by the supports.
 14. The method of claim13, further comprising: attaching a substantially L-shaped bracket on afirst end of a first wall and a second end, and tightening a first screwthrough a first side of the bracket and the first end of the first wall;and tightening a second screw through a second side of the bracket intothe second end of the second wall.
 15. The method of claim 13, whereinthe building structure is selected from the group comprising: shoppingcenters, community centers, power centers, enclosed malls, tilt-upconstruction, strip malls, temporary “tent” facilities, gas stations,and convenience stores.
 16. A method of constructing components of amodular washroom, the method comprising: (a) constructing at amanufacturing facility a plurality of walls of a modular washroom,wherein at least one of the walls comprises HVAC components within thewall and at least one of the walls comprises a fixture attached to thewall, the walls being configured for assembly at a building locationremote to the manufacturing facility; (b) presenting the constructedwalls to an inspector at the manufacturing facility; (c) obtaining aninspection certification for the constructed walls from the inspectorafter inspection of the constructed walls at the manufacturing facility;and (d) combining the constructed walls into a kit for sale to acustomer, wherein the kit comprises the plurality of walls and couplingdevices for securing the plurality of walls in order to form a modularwashroom.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the inspectioncertification is from ICC-ES.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein atleast one of the walls comprises one or more fixtures that are attachedto the wall prior to the step of presenting.
 19. The method of claim 16,wherein at least one of the walls comprises plumbing and/or electricalcomponents within the wall.
 20. A method of coupling adjacent walls of amodular washroom, the method comprising: positioning a firstsubstantially rectangular wall comprising a front surface and a rearsurface separated by a first thickness, the first wall furthercomprising a left side and right side each between the front and rearsurface and having widths equal to the first thickness; positioning asecond substantially rectangular wall comprising a second front surfaceand a second rear surface separated by a second thickness, the secondwall further comprising a second left side and a second right side eachbetween the second front and rear surfaces and having widths equal tothe second thickness, the second wall being positioned so that thesecond right side contacts the left side of the first wall so that thefirst and second walls are substantially perpendicular to one anotherand so that the second right side and the left side are at leastpartially exposed; and coupling at least one bracket to the exposedportions of the second right side and the left side so that the firstand second walls are attached.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein thebracket is substantially L-shaped.
 22. The method of claim 20, furthercomprising: coupling a cover member to each of the first and secondwalls so as to substantially hide the bracket from view.